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A fiat coaft, and that quite expofed to all the winds 

 that blow, a barren fand, a country loft and hid 

 from all the world, and without the leaft com- 

 merce, and without being fit for even an entrepot 

 or repoiicory, could only be chofen out of that 

 jealoufy, which our fettling Louifiana has occafi- 

 oned in the minds of the Spaniards. We had been 

 guilty of this foily before them, but this lafted 

 not long. There is reaion to believe that they too 

 will foon repent their choice, and that after they 

 fhall have re-eftablifhed Penfacola, they will trans- 

 port thither every thing they have at St. Jofeph. 



The fort is not even fituated in the bay, but in 

 the bight of a crooked point in which there is an 

 ifland. This fort is built only of earth, but that 

 well lined with palifadoes, and defended with a 

 numerous artillery. There is alio a pretty ftrong 

 garrifon, an etat major compteat, and almoft all 

 the officers have their families with them. Their 

 houfes are neat and commodious, indifferently well 

 furnifhed, but in the ftreets you walk up to the 

 ankle in fand. The ladies never come abroad but 

 when they go to church, and that always with a 

 train and a gravity which is not to be feen any where 

 but amongft the Spaniards, 



Next day after our arrival, which was on the 

 twenty ninth, there was a grand dinner at the fer- 

 jeant major's. We had feen this officer formerly 

 at Louifiana, and had treated him magnificently, 

 fo that he was ravifhed with this opportunity of 

 mewing his gratitude. 



He had entered into a particular intimacy and 

 friendship with Monf. Hubert, who was then com- 

 affaire ordannateur> a Jund of furveyor, and who 



was 



